Who doesn't love the Soft Glow of a campfire in the Evening Light?
Everything feels warm and cozy. Everything tinted gold.
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| AFTERNOON TEA - watercolour, 16 x 20 - Note the rosy glow on the hummingbird |
When we were in Maui, I always found it amazing how many people gravitated to the beaches when the sun was starting to set. But I guess we all felt the same thing. As the rosy blush of the sunset washed over the world, everything felt just right.
This is Ambient Light at its best. . . .
The rosy red colours of sunset are light rays bouncing around. The colour tinting everything it touches. It is easy to see.
However, there are more subtle forms of Ambient Light . . .
Even as the sun gives light, each object below, does as well. As artists we are not really concerned with the physics involved with bouncing light rays but rather how it affects everything we paint.
(NB. There is a video version of this post with more information on YouTube: Let Ambient Light put a Sparkle into Your Work )
The Subtle touches of Ambient Light . . . .
Looking at this green apple note the shadow side of the apple. This is the view we all see and remember.
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| Green apple with White Background. |
Now watch what happens as I change the background colour to blue. Can you see the difference in the colour of the apple. Especially in the shadow area.
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| Green Apple with Blue Background |
Another colour change. This time an orange background.
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| Apple with an Orange Background |
As the colours change beside the apple you can see the colour of the apple changes as well. It still is green but there is colour reflected by the background. It is not a direct light nor a bright one. It is the ambient reflected light from the neighbouring object. Neat eh?!
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| Arbutus Tree on the Bluff - Ignoring Ambient Light when painting |
Ambient Light in Action
I have here a little landscape painting, the kind of thing I love to paint when Outdoor Sketching. An arbutus tree standing proudly on the rock bluff, scraggy shrubs fighting to survive on the rocky cliff all beneath a summer sky.
I started the painting keeping each subject as separate as possible. Greens for the shrubs. Grays for the rocks. Reds and browns for the arbutus tree. And blues for the sky. A pretty scene for sure.
But what happens if . . . ..
I add the reflections of Ambient Light for each of the elements in the scene. That means the reflective light of the green shrubs onto the rocks, the tree, the sky. The reflective light of the reds of the tree onto the shrubs, rocks and sky. The blues of the sky reflected on . . . . Letting each element have its own mini reflective light play out in my picture.
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| Close Up showing the large rock and ground before and after the colours of the ambient light are added |
Above your can see the ground now carries some reds, browns and golds from the tree and the blues of the sky. I really like how they add a sparkle to the ground cover. Even the rock takes on a new life with the greens, blues, reds and browns reflected into it.
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| Before and After - Arbutus Tree on the Bluff |
Can you see the sparkle in the After Picture. Even the sky has more life with the bits of red, yellow and green added to it. Including the Ambient Reflective Light in your work adds that sparkle but also integrates your pieces and makes them come together.
My Favourite example of Ambient Light in a Portrait . . .
An artist's whose work I really enjoy is Harley Brown. He is a Canadian Artist that has won many awards and lots of recognition for his pastel portraits of Indigenous People. I love the way he uses his background colours to bring his portraits to life. Not only alive but infused with colour. Sometimes in a subtle way but other times very bold and bright.
Have fun adding the Ambient Reflective Light to your paintings and see if put a Sparkle into your work.
NB. There is a video version of this post with more information on YouTube: Let Ambient Light put a Sparkle into Your Work
Move your work to NEW LEVELS?
Contact Me for:
1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250) North Langley, BC (Walnut Grove)
Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk? Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you. Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop. Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing. Beginner to Advanced are welcome. Special rates for younger students. More info here.
2. Online: Teaching, Mentoring or Critiquing Your Work - Don't live in the Fraser Valley, I would be happy to tailor a program just for you online. Drawing and Painting Lessons, Mentoring you on your Art Journey or Critiquing Your Work with an Eye to Move It Forward. Drawing & Painting Lessons: 1.5 hr sessions $75. Mentoring or Critiquing 30 minutes sessions $25. Flexible schedule and sessions can be longer or shorter depending on your goals.
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Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy
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